title: [Benzodiazepine dependence and the risk of depression and anxiety disorders: seniors' health study].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study is to examine the relationship between benzodiazepine dependence and anxiety disorders and depression in people aged 65 years and over. We referred to the data from the study on the health of seniors, a survey of a representative sample of 707 benzodiazepine users living in the community in Quebec, Canada. Benzodiazepine dependence, anxiety disorders and depression were measured using self-reported questionnaires based on the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth revised edition.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seniors have consumed an average daily dose of 6.1±7.6mg diazepam equivalent to an average of 205±130 days. The prevalence of benzodiazepine dependence has been estimated at 9.5%. This dependence increases the risk of minor depression for females (relative risk [RR]=4.36, confidence interval 95% [95% CI]=1.19 to 15.99).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study suggest that the use of benzodiazepines is far from being optimal among seniors in Quebec. The proportion of seniors who develop an addiction is important. The results illustrate the need to develop and implement programs to improve the quality of benzodiazepine use among this population.
authors.affiliation: Faculté de pharmacie, université Laval, Pavillon Ferdinand-Vandry, 1050, avenue de la Médecine, local 2575, G1V0A6 Québec, Canada. Electronic address: pamphile.nkogho-mengue.1@ulaval.ca.
authors.forename: P-G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Nkogho Mengue
authors.affiliation: Faculté de médecine, université Laval, Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Abdous
authors.affiliation: Faculté de médecine et des sciences de la santé, université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Berbiche
authors.affiliation: Faculté de médecine et des sciences de la santé, université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Preville
authors.affiliation: Faculté de sciences infirmières, université Laval, Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Voyer
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D003975:Diazepam / Q000009:adverse effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D063487:Prescription Drug Misuse / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011792:Quebec; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D001569:Benzodiazepines; D003975:Diazepam
keywords: Anxiety disorders; Benzodiazepine dependence; Depression; Dépendance aux benzodiazépines; Dépression; Personnes aînées; Quebec; Québec; Seniors; Troubles anxieux